Hi @aam9422 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Those of us in the Connect forum aren’t medical professionals so we can’t diagnose or offer treatments. But we can use our life experiences and valuable insights to help each other.

I’m sorry to hear about your brother’s diagnosis of MDS. How long ago was he diagnosed? Often it’s a disease that takes time to progress and as it does, blood transfusions are needed frequently. However, that’s not sustainable. If a Stem cell transplant has been suggested he’s at the point where it is the only option that offers a potential for a long term cure. You’re a wonderful brother for offering to be his donor.

For his encouragement, I’m 21 days away from my 2nd ‘re-birth day’ after having a stem cell transplant and I’m very familiar with what your brother is going through. I had a different leukemia but it also required a SCT. I would not be here today if I hadn’t had the procedure. I’m healthy and no sign of relapse! On that same note…a friend whom I met in the hospital during my treatment had a SCT 10 days before I did for her MDS. She is also doing fantastic. So there is hope for your brother.

Now, for the nitty gritty. I’m not sure if your past history of hepatitis A would impact your ability to be the donor. If you’ve not had any long term side effects after so many decades it may not have an impact.
However, there are so many other factors involved in determining if you two are a match or not. Being siblings does help but it doesn’t guarantee a good or safe match. The best way to find this out is to have your blood/DNA tested to see if you match his HLA biomarkers.

Has your brother selected a transplant center to have this procedure done? If so, the transplant team will be seeking and procuring a cell donor for your brother. They’ll take samples of his blood to test DNA and a ‘zillion’ other factors. They will ask your brother if he has siblings and at that point you will most likely be asked to have your blood tested. The blood results will show if you’re a match and also determine if your past hepatitis would interfere with being his donor. I hope you are able to give your brother this life saving gift! Your part in this would be similar to donating blood.

I know this doesn’t give a definitive answer to your question about the Hep A, but until you have a blood/DNA test it can’t be determined. Do you have any other questions about your brother’s condition or his upcoming transplant?
Will you please write again to keep in touch on his progress? Wishing him all the best, Lori